EMEA News
LNG Bunkers "Capable Of Playing A Vital Role" for Inland Waterway Transportation
The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) says that liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers are "capable of playing a vital role" in both the sustainability and competitiveness of inland waterway transport.
The comments came at an October 8 symposium held in Strasbourg, France that is said to have included more than 100 participants from European countries interested in the use, carriage, and supply of LNG for inland navigation and ports.
"Even if the current market situation was assessed as being difficult on account of the steep fall in the price of oil, the global oversupply of LNG could be a good medium to longterm leading indicator of the future competitiveness of LNG," stated CCNR.
"Taking advantage of potential cost reductions as regards LNG equipment, especially tanks, and progress in setting up the supply chain could further accelerate the introduction of LNG in inland navigation."
Symposium participants are also said to have discussed the need for "greater coherence" in the European Union's support for LNG development.
"The development of LNG must be accompanied by ambitious emissions limits, as well all test cycles that are more representative of real operating conditions, without however requiring additional investment in the form of post-treatment systems.
"Excessively onerous emissions limits pose a serious risk of halting investment and innovation in the inland navigation arena."
The CCNR says it has played "an active role" in the development of an accompanying regulatory framework for LNG use by inland vessels, and note that it has been supportive of the "profession's efforts to reduce both pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by the inland navigation sector and its operating costs."
Last year, the first inland waterway vessel retrofitted with LNG engines under the European Union (EU)'s "LNG Masterplan Rhine-Main-Danube" project was launched.
